You could feel the mood in the air change when they announced the opportunity to ride in a NASCAR Pace Car. All focus on my delicious buffet dinner provided by our host, Charlotte Motor Speedway, ceased to exist as I realized what they had just announced! Seriously, a chance to ride in a NASCAR Pace Car, count me in!

The people moving to the door was noticeable and slightly enthusiastic as my fellow travel writers attending “TMS Cabarrus” in North Carolina this past August can attest to. Not a Wal-Mart Christmas rush, but a steady disengagement from those that choose not to enjoy this opportunity and stay in the NASCAR themed room that was host to our group. This, I could, kind of, understand as the food was exceptional, the drinks were cold and the activities varied.

Being the senior thrill seeker that I am, the NASCAR Pace Car was the only option I could focus on, so out the door, I went. Catching up with my buddy Tania of lolalambchops.com fame. (Who I might add was grinning from ear to ear in a mirrored parallel to myself.) The line up had already started so we had a few minutes to wait and watch the early bird riders fly by us in their NASCAR Pace Car.

I did learn that several travel writers previously enjoyed riding in actual NASCAR race cars earlier that day. Now that was a high-speed get in the car through the window, with the full fire-retardant suit, helmet, and safety gear, once in a lifetime experience for several of them.

Our NASCAR Pace Car was a stock Toyota Camray with racing tires and cool graphics, the doors worked and we didn’t have to suit up for the ride, though I was willing too! We had an excellent driver and host during our two lap adventure hitting almost 120 mph while whipping around 24-degree banking, an all too brief experience in a NASCAR Pace Car. It was fun to experience but difficult to film as you can see in the footage. Who would have thought that holding an iPhone while being driven around a NASCAR race track would be so bouncy!

Two and a half minutes was not long enough to get comfortable at those speeds, yet it was long enough to enjoy the experience the thrill of the ride. Some how I will get the big ride (NASCAR race car) experience in during my next trip to Charlotte Motor Speedway, Cabarrus County, N.C.!

I can certainly see why so many (Millions) people love the thrill of NASCAR.

Charlotte Motor Speedway offers “something for everyone” tour packages that would satisfy any NASCAR fan:

• Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour

  • Tour the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage, ride through two infield race tracks, make your way down Pit Road and take a picture in Winner’s Circle. Learn the history of Charlotte Motor Speedway while enjoying a comfortable van ride around the Superspeedway where you will feel the full-tilt force of the 24-degree banking. Plus, visit zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte on this exciting tour!

• Over the Wall Tour

  • Includes the Feel the Thrill Tour plus exclusive additional features. Walk through The Speedway Club and visit one of our 51 frontstretch suites, peek inside the Performance Racing Network (PRN) studios and experience the breathtaking view of Charlotte Motor Speedway from the top of the Ford Grandstand. Cruise down pit road, tour the Media Center and take a walk down memory lane as you view timeless photos of CMS history.

• STEM Field Trip

  • The STEM Field Trip is an educational experience geared towards school groups and will last approximately 2.5 hours during Non-Event times. The students will rotate through 5 stations – each activity will take 25 minutes and we’ve allowed 5 minutes to rotate to the next station.

• Race Shop Tour

  • Let Charlotte Motor Speedway help you visit some of the key NASCAR race shops and attractions while you are in Concord. See the shop where your favorite driver’s team prepares for race day and compare it to his competitors! Walk through Hendrick Motorsports museum and learn the history behind this incredibly successful organization. You will get to Experience behind the scenes views at Michael Waltrip Racing. Visit Sam Bass Gallery the first officially licensed artist of NASCAR, race shops, museum, or view the nine foot tall Dale Earnhardt Sr. statue in his home town of Kannapolis, NC. So, sit back and relax as you travel from shop to attractions with no worries about traffic, directions, or parking.

• Laps and Taps Tour

  • Charlotte Motor Speedway is offering you the opportunity to experience NASCAR excitement like never before with a trip to the spectacular NASCAR Hall of Fame! No worries about parking, traffic, directions, or ticket lines…just sit back and relax. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive entertainment attraction dedicated to the history and heritage of NASCAR. From the down-home history of stock-car racing to the legendary drivers and their race cars, the Hall of Fame celebrates everything that is great about NASCAR! All NASCAR Hall of Fame Tours will visit the Sam Bass Gallery, where you will see displays of original paintings and limited edition prints that document special moments in the sports history, all done by NASCAR’s first officially licensed artist

• Trackside Tram Tour

  • Join in on the race week excitement with all the pre-race preparations on the Trackside Tram Tour.  Fans will learn the history of Charlotte Motor Speedway while getting an up close look at pre-race activities on the track, pit road and motor coach lot, as well as a unique view of the World’s 2^ndLargest HDTV screen! Top it off with an opportunity to climb the 24 degree banking of the famous speedway!

Now if that gets your blood pumping – Take advantage of this exciting opportunity today and reserve your seat in advance by calling 704-455-3223

Full disclosure, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Travel Media Showcase hosted Never to Old To Travel for a three-day all expense paid media trip to Cabarrus, N.C. with no stipulations. All thoughts and opinions in this article are my own.

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